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A normal day for the Belchers included waking up, getting ready for the day, breakfast, the kids going to school, and the parents opening the restaurant after prepping for the lunch rush. On this particular day, Bob woke up feeling like something was off. But nothing was out of place, his children were fine, his wife fine, and he was flipping burgers with the practice ease from years of cooking. Mort was there, sitting next to Teddy, not really listening to the handyman’s rant.
Bob has felt this way before. When he was a kid and his mother was ill. One day he woke up and knew his mother would breathe her last that day. He just couldn’t put his finger on who. He looked down at his freshly washed hand, hoping they’d give him the answer. The charm bracelet Tina made him at a Thunder Girls meeting. The first initials of each of his children’s names stared back at him, the “P” was first and the color green, her favorite color.
P for Phoebe.
Bob’s head snapped up in realization. Where was she? It was Wednesday and it was almost 2 in the afternoon. She should have been sitting in her booth, eating a burger of the day and working on her blog. Quickly, Bob dries his hands, digs out his phone, and searches for any form of message. Nothing.
“Hey, Lin,” Bob called out as he exited the employee bathroom. The lobby was empty of customers except for Teddy and Mort. They’ve gotten into the habit of closing for an hour after the lunch rush to restock for burger ingredients and to eat so they wouldn’t pass out from hunger.
“Yea,” Linda asked as she sat down a plate of food for both of them.
“Have you heard from Phoebe at all today?” Bob asked knowing his wife checked her phone more than him. Mainly because he forgets he even has one..
“Not since this morning. Why?” Linda turned to him, immediately noting the concern in his furrowed brow. He was about to speak when his phone rang to life so suddenly that Bob fumbled the phone for a few seconds.
“H-hello? Ye-yes, this is Bob Belcher. Really? When?” There was a pause as Bob listened, growing paler and trying to placate Linda by telling her little information. “It’s Phoebe. She’s in the hospital.”
The very little information sent Linda into a panic. Bob cupped a hand over her mouth to muffle her screaming.
“I understand. I’ll be there as fast as I can. Which hospital is it again?” Bob asked, and wrote the name of the hospital and the room number. “Thank you.”
“What’s going on, Bobby?” Linda asked, wringing her hands together.
“Phoebe’s appendix ruptured a while ago while she was covering that new cafe’s opening. She’s in surgery now and I was listed as her emergency contact,” Bob replied, untying the string of his apron. “We can close for the rest of the day until that birthday party shows up.”
It’s been too busy lately to leave Linda alone to work by herself, even if Teddy camped out in the restaurant. It was still too much work and who knows what kind of chaos his wife would get up to if she were by herself. Probably another musical production. The birthday party couldn’t be cancelled, not with the deposit sitting nicely in their savings, a trip they were planning on taking with the kids during the summer. It’d be a waste of money for everyone.
“I’ll text you when I get to the hospital,” Bob said, kissing his wife quickly on the lips on his way out of the restaurant.
The entire trip, a total of 45 minutes, Bob’s mind spiraled through several scenarios. Phoebe, dying on the table before he could even arrive, waiting for him in the hospital bed and then dying after a tearful good-bye, and her being completely fine, only loopy from the pain medication. The whole time the car was silent and thrumming behind his hands, making odd noises here and there. Following the signs to the E.R department, after entering the wrong area of the giant hospital ground, he maneuvered through the complicated maze until he finally found the emergency room entrance. People stared at him as he huffed in puff as he waited in line, the security guards eyed him cautiously.
The slightly older nurse at the check in station, Betty, smiled up at him and patiently waited for Bob to get through the reason he was visiting them today. She stood as she began her report that Phoebe wasn’t out of surgery yet.
“The surgeon believes she’s been walking around with appendicitis for a couple of days and an infection has developed,” Betty said, stepping out from behind the desk to sit him down before he fainted.
“But she’ll be alright, though, right?” Bob asked, sitting down, rubbing his hands against his cheeks. There was just no way he could lose a daughter that just appeared in his life. A year wasn’t long enough.
“Phoebe is young and strong, and the surgeon is confident that she’ll pull through. She’ll have to stay for a few days for observation afterward to make sure all the infection has been removed,” Betty said, attempting to give Bob hope because he looked like he needed a dose of good news.
“Robert?”
All hope flew out the window and Betty didn’t like how both sickly and angry Bob turned. He winced. Few people called him by the formal form of his name and not everyone sounded snobbish when they did so. To his right were Elizabeth and Jacob, Phoebe’s grandparents, and the very reason the father and daughter didn’t know each other existed until last year. He only met them once before Vivian disappeared and they haven’t changed in the 24 years that he’s seen them. Just more wrinkles. They represented the world wealth, tradition, and high expectations that Vivian belonged to and escaped.
“Why are you two here?” Bob asked, not keeping the heat off his tone.
“We were also informed of Phoebe’s condition from one of Jason’s colleagues here,” Elizabeth replied, fixing the strap of her purse over her shoulder and flicking the dust off her shirt. There was probably nothing there, she was occupying her hands. Bob looked at Nurse Betty with betrayal.
“I didn’t call them,” Nurse Betty said, hands up in defense. “You’re the only one mentioned on her list of people to call and one of her friends if I couldn’t get a hold of you.”
“So, your friend violated my daughter’s HIPAA rights by calling you two when she doesn’t want to see or talk to you?” Bob asked, finding the strength in his anger to stand and confront the people that tried to rob Phoebe of her life before she was even born. Jason couldn’t look Bob in the eye while his wife stuttered for words.
“She’s our granddaughter! We have the right to see her,” Elizabeth buckled down, stomping one high heel clad foot.
“You can see Phoebe when she wants to you, not before,” Bob said, fists clenching at his sides. The audience in the waiting room looked back and forth between the adults as they started down each other. The awkward cough broke the silence and broke their concentration.
“We’ll leave,” Jason said, placing a hand on his wife’s shoulder. Elizabeth shot a dangerous glare up at her husband but remained silent. “We would appreciate it if you would mention that we were here and concerned for Phoebe.”
“Phoebe is who I’m here for. Not you,” Bob said, turning his back on the older couple and walking back to Nurse Betty who had returned to the check in station to help someone who walked in.
“Phoebe is out of surgery. Just have a seat and once they’re finished settling her in, someone will take you back to see her,” Nurse Betty said and then leaned forward to whisper to Bob. “I added Mr. and Mrs. Kelty to her no visitation list.”
“Thank you, Betty,” Bob said, taking the visitor badge from the woman, and pinned it to his shirt before sitting down. He texted Linda the whole situation and then complained about Elizabeth and Jason being there. The kids would be home soon and they would help her, well, their definition of help, for the birthday party, and then they would want to visit.
Bob waited at the door to Phoebe’s room, a cold sweat developing on his forehead. Just seeing her lying unconscious triggered a memory of his mother waiting for him. The pink hat decorating her head and made the bags under her eyes darker, her smile equal parts warm and weak. He knew like he knew when he woke up, Lily Belcher was not leaving the hospital. He stepped aside when the male nurse and CNA needed to leave the room, but he was lost in the memory of Lily, and it took the nurse’s hand to snap him back. They left the room and Bob was there, standing in awkward silence as Phoebe slept. His eyes recognized a chair and his body moved on its own to sit in it.
Bob watched as Phoebe’s chest rose and fell consistently, pale from exhaustion and the surgery. Blood hung on the IV stand and he instantly felt queasy. Shaking his head, Bob moved the chair so he could focus on anything else but the blood. A few minutes later and Phoebe stirred, he stood so he would be the first thing she saw and not be scared. Hopefully.
“Dad?” Phoebe croaked, throat desperately–painfully–dry. Bob’s heart flipped and fresh tears burned his eyes. The first time he called her dad and it didn’t happen in the way he’s day-dreamed about, and the emotions that sparked in his core were overwhelming.
“Hey, sweetie,” Bob said, perching on the edge of the bed. The nickname may not have felt natural with Louise, but it did for Phoebe.
She tried to sit up on her own, winced, and collapsed back on the mattress. Bob pushed the call button, and they waited. The nurse, CNA, and doctor entered the room and while the nurse, a man named James, and CNA, Rebecca, helped make Phoebe feel more comfortable, the doctor introduced himself.
“You’re lucky, Miss Kelty,” Dr. Bridge said, offering a kind smile, but Phoebe slowly blinked until realization set in, and her expression turned dark. She recognized him, Bob thought, and maybe this was the doctor who informed her grandparents she was here.
“Are my grandparents here?” Phoebe asked Bob, cutting off the doctor in the middle of the surgery details.
“They were, but I sent them away,” Bob said hesitantly, but there was no point in lying. “Nurse Betty put them on the ‘no visitation’ list for you.”
Phoebe said nothing, just turned her thankful smile from Bob and stared coldly at the doctor. Challenging him. Doctor Bridge paled and couldn’t meet Phoebe’s gaze.
“I’ll just get you another doctor,” Dr. Bridge said.
“One that doesn’t know my grandparents preferably,” Phoebe said, her eyes and smile cringing in that sarcastic way that made a person feel stupid.
“Can we get you anything else?” James asked, looking proud of their work. “You’re probably hungry.”
“Not really, but I wouldn’t say no to a pudding cup,” Phoebe said, whispering, the stress of the day back in her face and tone.
The two sat in silence after fiddling with the tv remote, channel surfing until Bob found a Spaghetti Western. James returned with three different flavors of pudding, a cup of broth, and a jug of ice water. Maybe it was Bob’s imagination, but he thought he noticed a flirtatious smile from the man. His phone buzzing in his pocket distracted him observing the possible soap opera romance happening in front of him, it was Linda.
“Lin wants to know if you want anything from your place,” Bob said, reading off the paragraph long message.
“Maybe just my phone charger and laptop charger. I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but I can at least get some work done. Tina knows where they are,” Phoebe said. “Thank you for being here. It means a lot.”
“Of course,” Bob said, words lodging in his throat.
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation and Nurse James and Rebecca entered the room, followed by a new tall doctor. The energy rolling off of the newcomer’s shoulders was confident, calm, and radiated happiness.
“Hello, Phoebe. I’m Dr. Adler. I looked over your chart and the surgeon’s notes and it looks like everything went well. You’re just here for observation just in case the infection rears its ugly head again,” Dr. Adler said. “I have to ask because it looks like you’ve been walking around with this pain for days. Why?”
“I thought it was period cramps. I always cramp on my right side before it begins and I’ve had more painful cramps before,” Phoebe replied, none of the shame or embarrassment in her tone that usually follows a woman when they talk about their monthly visitor.
“Seriously?” Bob asked, eyebrows shooting up. Linda and Tina act like nothing is wrong when it’s their turn. Or maybe they just cover it up or maybe he doesn’t notice.
“I see. It’s typically harder for a woman to discern the difference between menstrual cramps and their appendix rupturing,” Dr. Adler said, making the two women laugh.
Another knock cut off the conversation. Linda, the kids, and Mort stood in the door carrying various get well gifts and flowers. No, Teddy because he feared hospitals and Bob couldn’t blame him. Doctor Adler left first, then CNA Rebecca, and Nurse James, after leaving Phoebe a couple of more things that would be easier to consume.
“I think he likes you,” Bob said once the room was empty of medical professionals.
“Oh please, he’s just doing his job,” Phoebe said, motioning for the kids to come closer.
“Will you be okay?” Tina asked, on the verge of crying, holding a handmade card.
“I’ll be fine. They removed what was wrong, so I’ll be able to leave in a couple of days,” Phoebe replied, smiling waterily.
“You mean they removed a piece of you? Do you get to keep it?” Louise asked.
“No, it’s probably already in their bio-waste bin by now,” Phoebe replied.
“What? What a crock of–”
“Louise,” Bob warned.
Gene eyed the row of snacks, “You get all these for losing an organ? Someone take my appendix out, stat! I don’t need it! I need…food.”
“Gene,” Bob warned again.
“You actually do need it. It stores certain healthy types of bacteria that can be altered or changed during an intestinal illness or with overuse of antibiotics,” Phoebe replied.
“Then why did it rupture?” Tina asked.
Phoebe looked at Bob and Linda to check to see if it was okay to tell her. Tina would worry about this for days with or without knowledge.
“Sometimes the appendix gets sick and needs to be removed,” Linda said, collecting her kid’s attention. Tina didn’t look less stressed, but maybe more.
“The nurse is flirting with Phoebe,” Bob said, quickly changing the subject that would peak Tina’s interest.
It worked. Tina’s mind rewired to be consumed by the handsome nurse wooing her older sister and plotting ways to get them together.
“Dad, wait,” Phoebe called and everyone stopped in their tracks, whirled around shocked at the sound of Phoebe calling Bob ‘dad’ and then looked at him, m mouths hanging open in shock.
“What’s up?” Bob asked proudly.
“About Elizabeth and Jason–”
“What about us?” Elizabeth asked from the door. Bob, Linda, and Phoebe groaned in unison while the kids stared up at the elderly couple.
“Get out,” Phoebe sliced, a finger pressing the nurse’s button and Bob tried to shield her from Elizabeth, but the older woman pushed him out the way and grabbed Phoebe by the wrist.
“We just want to talk,” Elizabeth said, gripping her wrist tighter when her granddaughter struggled. The monitor sent an alarm because the flow medication was interrupted and the leads alerting the nursing staff to a rise in Phoebe’s blood pressure.
“I’m not interested,” Phoebe said, not caring that she sounded like a petulant child. She had every right to not want to see them. They hurt her and her mother so many times. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice….
“We want to know how you’re doing,” Jason said, attempting to get past Bob, but the burger man wasn’t budging this time. Louise got in between the two men and pointed a threatening finger at the older man.
“Lay a hand on my dad and see what happens,” Louise threatened.
Elizabeth cocked a snobby eyebrow and then glared at Bob. “I knew it. You’re not fit to be a parent. Raising such rude children.”
“Excuse me?” Linda yelled from behind her, hands on her hips. “My kids are charming, precious angels, and are only polite to people who deserve their respect. You lady, don’t deserve an ounce of anything from anyone especially after what you did.”
“Wow, go mom,” Louise said.
“I’d think with all those billions your family has, you’d be able to afford some class,” Linda carried on.
“Now see here!” Elizabeth shouted, finally releasing Phoebe.
“No, you see here, miss missy!” Linda interrupted. “That poor girl has been through a lot, no thanks to you, and has carried all of it with more grace in your pinky finger. Her mother isn’t here anymore to protect her from you, rest her soul, but I’m here in her stead. I’ve come to think of Phoebe as a daughter and I’d be a major boob if I stand here and let you bully her. And another thing! She’s a full-grown adult who can make her own damn decisions, so you just butt out!”
“What is going on here? This is a hospital, not a Jerry Springer episode,” Dr. Adler demanded as she pushed her way through. Security and Mort behind her.
“These two are on Phoebe’s no visitation list,” Bob tattled, lazily pointing at the elderly couple.
“Yea, they were trying to pull our sister out of bed,” Tina said, throwing on her best pouting face.
“Who knew kidnappers could dress so well,” Gene added. “Someone should let the Wet Bandits know.”
Doctor Adler turned to face the elderly couple. She raised a hand to silence them before either of their opened mouths uttered a word. Her lips were set in a thin line of disappointment.
“I am very much aware of who you two are but your behavior toward your ill granddaughter is abhorrent,” Dr. Adler spoke low and softly. Elizabeth and Jason had the decency to look guilty. “You will leave the hospital and never return while Phoebe is here without a police escort. One more word out of either of you or even a look at my patient and Sean here will happily drag you out on your asses.”
“Yea, asses!” Louise cheered, double fisting the air.
Elizabeth and Jacob left without another word or sent a glance toward Phoebe. James busied himself looking over the red marks Elizabeth’s left on her wrist and fixed the tangled leads line and the IV tubing. They murmured amongst themselves only vaguely aware of Dr. Adler’s speech to the invaders.
After the peace and after Phoebe had calmed down in the bed, the Belchers and Mort had a proper goodbye.
“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Bob said, leaving a comforting hand on Phoebe’s shoulder.
“You don’t have to if you guys are busy,” Phoebe said, eyes blinking slowly, the new dose of drugs attempting to pull her under.
“We’ll bring you some food that isn’t gross hospital food,” Bob said, relief filling him, although his oldest daughter looks like she was hit by a bus. “Get some rest.”
“Get some rest,” Phoebe slurred with sleep.
“Good night, sweetie,” Bob said, leaning down to kiss the top of her head as she stopped fighting sleep and the medication and finally fell asleep.